Magnificent vessels set sail in Lisbon for the 2016 Tall Ships Races

Every summer, impressive sailing vessels from around the world gather in ports around Europe for the Tall Ships Races. The races are designed to encourage international friendships and to train young people in the art of sailing. More than 50% of the crew of each ship must be between 15 to 25 years of age.

Starting in 1956, this year sees the 60th anniversary of the regatta. The first race of the 2016 summer series was held in Antwerp, and the second leg has just drawn to a close in Lisbon, the city from which Portuguese navigators sailed over 500 years ago in search of the New World. Further events will be held in Cadiz and A Coruna in Spain, and in Blyth, England. IBTimes UK presents photos of the Lisbon leg of the 2016 Tall Ships Races.

The Venezuelan ship Simon Bolivar sails under the 25 de Abril Bridge in LisbonPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPCrew members stand on the masts of the Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc as it leaves LisbonPedro Nunes/ReutersThe Simon Bolivar flies a huge Venezuelan flag as it departs from LisbonPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPSeveral ships are docked at Santa Apolonia dock in LisbonPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPA ship is docked in front of National Pantheon monument at Santa Apolonia dock in LisbonPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPCrew members of the Portuguese sailing ship Creoula stand in front of a sail as they depart from LisbonPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPCrew members of Venezuelan sailing ship Simon Bolivar stand on the bow as they depart from LisbonPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPCrew members of the Portuguese sailing ship Creoula (L) climb the masts as crew members of Mexican sailing ship Cuauhtemoc stand on the masts before departure from LisbonPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPVenezuela's ship Simon Bolivar is pictured during the Tall Ships Races 2016 parade in LisbonPedro Nunes/ReutersThe Italian ship Amerigo Vespucci sails out of LisbonPedro Nunes/ReutersThe Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc sails under the 25 de Abril Bridge in LisbonPedro Nunes/ReutersCrew members stand on the masts of the Mexican ship CuauhtemocPedro Nunes/ReutersCrew members prepare a ship before the beginning of the Tall Ships Races 2016Pedro Nunes/ReutersCrew members prepare a ship before the beginning of the Tall Ships Races 2016 paradePedro Nunes/ReutersCrew members of the Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc paint the figurehead of their shipPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPCrew members of the Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc check their phones as their ship is moored at Santa Apolonia dockPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPCrew members of Venezuelan sailing ship Simon Bolivar wave as they depart from LisbonPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPNautical flags are seen behind crew members of the Mexican ship CuauhtemocPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPGerman sailing ship Alexander Von Humbold II departs from LisbonPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPA sailor stands in front of several ships moored at Santa Apolonia dock in LisbonPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPCrew members of the Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc stand on the deckPatricia de Melo Moreira/AFPCrew members stand on the rigging as Mexican sailing ship Cuauhtemoc departs from Lisbon during the Tall Ships race 2016Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP